Rhyl FC's director of football Eddie Maurice-Jones has begun building his squad for the 2018-19 season with five new signings.

Kristian Pierce, Gareth Partridge, Matthew Cook, Aaron Hassall and Danny Sullivan are the first fresh arrivals of the summer at Belle Vue.

Midfielder Pierce played for Rhyl during the 2016/17 season in the Welsh Premier League. He made 29 appearances for the Lilywhites, scoring four goals before returning to Denbigh Town.

Pierce said: “Rhyl is a massive club and it’s a great opportunity for me to play for them again. Last time around I was hit with injuries and played out of position when I was fit. So this time I intend to have a good pre-season so I can hit the ground running once we start.

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"I feel I have a point to prove at Rhyl. I want to play a key role in taking this massive club back to where it belongs which is the Welsh Premier League."

Partridge was initially a scholar at Shrewsbury Town, gaining a Wales Under-17 cap before his release in the summer of 2010.

He spent three years at Newtown before a short spell coaching in Florida. Upon his return to Wales he initially joined Denbigh Town before returning to Newtown in January 2015.

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He made the switch to Cefn Druids in the summer of 2015 and was a key part of the squad which earned the Wrexham side a return to the Welsh Premier League. The following season he made nine appearances in the WPL before switching back to Denbigh.

"I’ve been runner-up in the Huws Gray Alliance twice now and I want to win it with Rhyl," said Partridge.

Cook is also making the short journey from Central Park to Belle Vue. A former Welsh Under-19 cap, he joined Denbigh in January 2017 and impressed Maurice-Jones during this spell.

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Cook has made 225 appearances in the Welsh Premier with spells at Cefn Druids, Airbus UK Broughton and Newtown.

After a short stint with Druids at the start 2016-17 he joined Denbigh in January 2017 and has been a key asset in midfield, making 22 appearances last season.

Talented wide-man Hassall, 20, joined Leicester City from Airbus for a five-figure sum in 2014. He spent two years with the Foxes before his release at the end of the 2015/16 season which saw Leicester win the Premier League.

He has since had spells with Corby Town, Stamford, Nantwich Town, Runcorn Town and Llandudno, as well as Denbigh in 2016/17.

Hassall said: “I am really pleased to have signed for Rhyl, they are a massive club with a great following. I want to help them get back to the Welsh Premier League where they belong. It was an easy decision to make after hearing Eddie was joining the management team.”

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Sullivan is an experienced central defender/midfielder who last season was at Denbigh. Prior to that he played for Caernarfon Town and has previously represented Holywell Town, Buckley Town and Flint Town United.

Maurice-Jones said: “Danny was a standout performer for me at Denbigh Town last season so it’s great to see him committed so early. Danny brings experience, leadership and quality to the squad. His natural ability to read the game and see a define pass is exceptional.”

Pre-season friendlies announced by the Lilywhites

Rhyl FC's new director of football Eddie Maurice-Jones

Rhyl FC have unveiled their pre-season line up of games at Belle Vue.

The action is scheduled to kick off with the visit of National League North outfit Altrincham, last year's Northern Premier League Premier Division champions, on Saturday, July 7.

Next up is Sky Bet League One side Fleetwood Town, now managed by Joey Barton, on Tuesday, July 10.

The following week sees another visit from a side who were in League One last season. Unfortunately Bury were relegated but they will be planning for a successful season in Sky Bet League 2 and an immediate return. This match is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, July 18.

On Saturday, July 21, Runcorn Linnets make the short journey from the banks of the Mersey to Belle Vue.

Three days later, on Tuesday, July 24, Sky Bet League 1 Play Off winners Rotherham United come to Rhyl. The Yorkshire side defeated Shrewsbury Town at Wembley at the end of May to secure a place in the Sky Bet Championship for the 2018/19 season.

The home fixtures are completed with the visit of former double European Cup winners Nottingham Forest on Saturday, July 28. (ko 3pm).

At present the only away match scheduled sees the Lilywhites head to Prescot Cables, who will be in the Evo Stik League West next season, on Tuesday, August 7.